Ken Long - Senior Pastor
Ken was born in Tulare, California. He attended Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion. He then attended Anderson School of Theology in Anderson, Indiana where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. Ken served as Associate Pastor at the Church of God in Muskogee, Oklahoma, before leaving to serve as Senior Pastor at Cornwall Church in Bellingham, Washington from 1985 to 1992. From 1993 to 2003 Ken was the Senior Pastor of First Church of God of Vero Beach, Florida.
Ken has stated that his life’s mission is to “prepare people within his influence for the coming of Christ.” Ken’s personal goal is taken from John 15:8 in that he is committed to glorifying God by bearing much fruit for the Kingdom. Ken is quick to say that it is the life of God in him (not just the work of God through him) that remains the passion of his heart. Ken and his wife, Annette, have four children.
Christina Bergevin - Children's Minister
Since 1998 Christina has served on staff directing music, working with NCC’s Design & Creative Communications teams, & leading the large group forums of our “Summerblast” VBS programs. In Fall of 2007, Christina shifted her ministry efforts to full time work in our Children’s Ministry.
Christina is a certified teacher with a masters degree in conducting & a bachelors degree in K – 12 music education. She is currently completing biblical studies for ordination.
The Bergevin’s originally came to the Everett area to serve as teachers in the public schools. Christina taught at the elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate levels.
Her husband, Jake, works as the band director at Edmonds Woodway High School and performs as a jazz musician in the greater Seattle area. They are the proud parents of two boys, who attend elementary and middle school in the Everett School District.
Blaine Christenson -
Associate Pastor/Northshore Student Ministry
In the summer of 1998, Blaine came to Northshore as an intern working with the children’s program. At the completion of his internship, he was asked to join the staff, working in Children's Ministries, where he served for four years. A change was made in the spring of 2002, establishing Blaine as the Junior High Pastor. He has served there for the past 6 years and has loved every minute of it!
Blaine graduated from Puget Sound Christian College in the spring of 2001 with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education. He enjoys playing basketball and softball, music, movies, going to Qwest Field and Safeco Field to see the Seahawks and Mariners play, playing video games, and seeing students’ lives changing for Christ.
Rob Cizek - Executive Pastor
Rob serves Northshore’s congregation as the leader of day-in, day-out church operations. His responsibilities include overseeing the staff, strategic planning, communications and interfacing with Northshore’s Elder Board. He enjoys kayaking and mountain biking. Rob, his wife, Janice, and two children live in the Silver Lake area.
Janelle Farstad - Director/Women's Ministry
A native of Washington, Janelle was born in Longview. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1979. After leading small group Bible Studies at Overlake Christian Church, Redmond, Washington, she became a certified Precept Teacher from Precept Ministries based in Tennessee. She taught Precept courses for many years at Overlake. In 2001 she became the Associate Director of Women’s Ministry at Overlake, a position she held until 2006. In July 2007, she became Director of Women’s Ministry here at Northshore Christian Church.
With a passion to grow women in Spiritual Development and Leadership Training her life verse also serves as a mission statement to the women she ministers to. “I have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1: 9-10 Janelle blends humor with life experience and relies on God to bring His message to the women He has given her.
Janelle lives in Bothell with her husband, Karl, and they have 8 grandchildren!
David R. Grant -
Associate Pastor/Community Care & Global Discipleship (Missions)
Dr. David Grant (BA, M Div., D. Min) has lived in the Everett area since graduating from seminary in 1970. He served as a senior pastor for 17 years in Marysville and joined the NCC staff in June of 1992. He is an ACC (Associate Certified Coach) Life Coach with the International Coach Federation. He is also Certified to administrate the Taylor Johnson Temperment Analysis, Prepare/Enrich.
David enjoys reading history, writing, music (he plays the stereo!), email, and seeing people’s lives changed by God’s Word and meaningful service. As the “elder statesman” and “resident theologian” on the staff, David is charged with sharpening the church’s and staff’s values on people and God’s Word. He is known for his many stories (all roads lead to a communion meditation J), his hearty laugh, and his heart for people.
David and his wife, Carol, live in Marysville, and have three grown children.
Holly Leach - Academy Principal
Holly received a BS degree from Oregon State University and her Masters in Education from Western Washington University. Married for 27 years to her wonderful husband, Tom, they worked together as missionaries, running an orphanage before they had children. Being parents to 45 children didn’t stop them from having three children of their own! Driven by the desire to minister to children, Holly at one time directed the only residential training facility for multi-handicapped children in Oregon. Her experience as a Principal was gained from leading three different schools over a period of 11 years. She joined the staff of Northshore Christian Academy in the summer of 2000. Holly’s hobbies include hiking, camping, backpacking, and rollerblading.
Paul Lowell - Associate Pastor - Prayer
& First Impressions
Paul has served as First Impressions Coordinator since November 1998. He is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and has a Master's Degree in Spiritual Nurture from Mar's Hill Graduate School.
Paul and his wife, Kathy, have been at Northshore since 1994. They have four grown sons and have lived in Everett for almost 30 years. Paul has been self-employed in art glass since 1974 and his interests include family and friends, art, antique automobiles, sports and Bible study. He enjoys people and their stories; leading a home fellowship group, exercising hospitality and attending car shows in his classic Mustang.
Dan Richards - Director of Finance
Dan was born and raised in Michigan (a tried and true fan of the Maize and Blue!) and moved to Everett in 1985 after completing his Navy enlistment. After earning a degree in accounting, Dan spent the better part of his next 18 years working with non-profit social welfare and government organizations.
Dan and his wife, Becky, have called Northshore their church home since 1999, and in March of 2003 Dan came on staff and is currently serving as the Director of Finance for the ministries of Northshore. Dan and Becky’s family include their daughter, Jessica, son-in-law, DC, and granddaughter, Jaylei, as well as three temperamental felines and one rambunctious canine.
Damian Thompson - Worship Pastor
Although born and raised in Oakland, California, Damian moved to the Northwest in 1982 and considers it to be his “home”. He has been involved in leading God’s people in worship for over 20 years.
Having completed his undergraduate degree in 1987 at Columbia Christian College, Cascade College in Portland, Oregon, he moved to the Everett area in 1996 where he met and married the woman of his dreams, Ali-Ca. They have been blessed with three amazing sons who are passionate worship leaders in-training.
Damian is also extended an extra measure of grace for being a Raiders and A’s fan!
Mike Toben - Associate Pastor
Mike was born in Napa, California and earned a BA degree in Bible and Theology from San Jose Bible College and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry. Since being ordained in 1967, he has served in many areas of ministry including Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor of Education and Music, Chaplain at Crista Senior Community and Bible college professor at Puget Sound Christian College. Mike has also taught in the computer software field for 9 years.
Mike’s ministry passion is to equip people for life, leadership, and service. His life verse is Galatians 2:20.
Mike resides in Lynnwood with Lynda, his wife of 33 years.
R.J. Whitlow - Media Director
R.J. first came to Northshore in the Fall of 1999 and immediately began volunteering in the Music/Media ministry. Joining our part-time staff in the spring of 2000 during the construction of our 23rd Drive campus, R.J. has faithfully served to build up a dedicated team who are devoted first to Jesus Christ and second to serving Him with their various gifts and talents. He has been Northshore's full-time media director since early 2002. He and his team constantly strive to embrace technology to amplify the powerful message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
R.J. is a graduate of Mt. Hood Community College, Olympic College and Central Washington University where he studied music, string bass, jazz studies, education, and history. R.J. is still an active professional musician performing regularly throughout the Pacific Northwest. He is also an accomplished production manager with clients including the Seattle Mariners, the Experience Music Project, the Bellevue Arts Museum, and employers including Bill Graham Presents, SFX, and Clear Channel Entertainment, and The Workshop.
R.J. resides in Marysville with Kristi, his wife of 10 years and their 3 children Samuel, Emily and Jennie.